PSYCHE IN THE HOUSE

BY CHARLES RICKETTS

The small black-and-white image is centred on the page, framed by a double rule. The scene depicts a woman, the goddess Psyche, standing in a bedroom; behind her is a bedstead with hanging curtains, and in front of her is an open circular window, through which she can see a sleeping man carried by a flying eagle. She is clutching the window shutter with her eyes closed, and her head is tilted down, away from the image of the man. At Psyche’s feet is an open trunk, filled with small objects. The inside lid of the truck features the image of a nude woman lying on her back on top of a white bull, with Cupid flying above her bent knees. This may reference the myth of Europa being abducted by Zeus in the form of a bull. Psyche’s hair is long and has flowers in it. She wears a long robe the flows onto the tiled floor. Behind her two pairs of hands appear. One plays a small stringed instrument (possibly a lyre) and the other pours roses onto the floor by Psyche’s feet. Both pairs of hands emerge from behind the bed curtains.

MLA citation:

Ricketts, Charles. “Psyche in the House.” The Pageant, vol. 1, 1896, p. 53. Pageant Digital Edition, edited by Frederick King and Lorraine Janzen Kooistra, 2019-2021. Yellow Nineties 2.0, Ryerson University Centre for Digital Humanities, 2021, https://1890s.ca/pag1-ricketts-psyche/

magazine_images The Pageant 1 Psyche in the House Charles Ricketts 1896 Pen-and-ink drawing Illustration Swan Electric Engraving Company Musical Instruments, Floral curtains, Windows, Roses, Houses, and Tree trunk Human Figure, Female Figure/ Woman, Male Figure/ Man, Cupid, Psyche, and Goddess Indoor setting, Interior, and Bedroom